Where does the surname 'Lange' originate?

Answer 1

Amongst the multitude of English surnames, "Lange" is considered by etymologists to be one of the most ancient. There's an Old English charter from 972 A.D. listing one version. It derives as a "nickname surname" to describe someone who is long or tall. It is found in the most ancient records of Northumberland, where they'd held a family seat.

Answer 2

The majority of the Lange families in the U.S and Europe are of German origin. A variant of surname Lang, it is a nickname for a tall person, from Middle German "long". Now, there are the English, Dutch, Danish, Nowegian, Swedish, and Jewish Lange families that have the same meaning as the German Lange, a nickname for a tall person (see related links below for more information). Also the French and Dutch surname Delange, or De Lange, meaning "the tall", having the same meaning. There are other Lange out there that do not have the same meaning as the Germans or the rest above, and other Lange families of uncertain origin. The origins of the other Lange are listed below.

1. French: Nickname for angel, also as L'ange. For more information, see related links below.

2. Hungarian: A variant of Hungarian surname Lang, from "láng",meaning "flame". See related links below for more information.

3. South American (Brazil mostly, possibly Spanish or Portuguese of origin): There are some Lange families found mostly in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Possibly a variant of Italian surname Longo, also a Spanish and Portuguese surname, ultimately of Latin origin, from Latin "longus". Similar surnames include Lango, Lang, Langa, Lenge, Longo, Long, Longe and many others. For more information, see related links below.

4. Irish and Scottish: Derived from Gaelic "O'Longain", a personal name that perhaps is also derived from "long", perhaps of same derivative as the Germans Lange or others above. For more information, see related links below.

5. Italian: Of Italian origin, most likely a variant of a more common Italian surname Longo, also as Lenga, a southern Italian surname. The surname Longo is found in Southern and Northern Italy, in regions like Venezia (North) and Matera and Sicily (South). The name Longo is a nickname, from "lóngo",meaning "long, tall". Ultimately from Latin origin, from Latin "longus".

6. Polish (Northern): A Polish surname, most likely a variant of a more common Polish surname Langa. This surname Lange is mostly found in region of Mogilno and Northern Poland in region of Puck and Wejherowo. The surname Lango is also found in Northern Poland in Wejherowo and Kartuzy. Perhaps this is where they originated. The meaning behind the Lange and Langa families is uncertain. Perhaps the same as the German Lange.

7. Latvian: Of Latvian origin, but of unknown meaning and derivative.

8. Philippines: Of uncertained derivative. Perhaps French? Similar surnames include Langa, Lang, Langi, Longa, Longo, Lingo, Linga and others.

9. Estonian: Of Estonian origin, perhaps from a village called Lange in Estonia, of unknown derivative, possibly the same as German Lange.

10. Middle Eastern (Arabic?, Armenian?, Israel?): This surname is found in the Middle Eastern. Possibly of Arabic or Armenian origin. Unexplained.

11. Turkish?: Perhaps there is of Turkish origin. Unexplained.

12. Indian?: Perhaps there is of Indian origin. Unexplained.

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There are also possibilities of other origins not listed here.